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Comment

According to Joe Ringrose can play there, did so in school (I believe he said), or Addison.

So with 3 of our 4 10s on the treatment table, who would be next up ?
JJ Hanrahan ?
Ciaran Frawley ?
Bill Johnston / Lowry ?
Scannell ?
A desperate call to Ian Madigan ?
An even more desperate call to Paddy Jackson ? (can't see that happening)

Of the above, I think I'd look at Madigan - although he's not even first choice at Briston now :-(

Comment

So with 3 of our 4 10s on the treatment table, who would be next up ?
JJ Hanrahan ?
Ciaran Frawley ?
Bill Johnston / Lowry ?
Scannell ?
A desperate call to Ian Madigan ?
An even more desperate call to Paddy Jackson ? (can't see that happening)

Of the above, I think I'd look at Madigan - although he's not even first choice at Briston now :-(

Hanrahan or Cooney possibly.

He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is.

Comment

Funny that this Irish team contains only 4 of what would be considered our 'first' team, yet I'm more optimistic about this match than I would be if the first team were playing - probably suffering from the delusion that good performances would effect change, but I honestly think, given current form, this is a good team.

Selected

'First'

Addison

Kearney

I like Addison at full back even if he's played more centre recently, and he offers more going forward (even if Kearney isn't quite as bad as we like to claim). Lets see if he's as quick as people say.

Conway

Earls

Earls is better, but Conway is still very good and in good form

Farrell

Ringrose

The likely space in this match might have suited Ringrose more, but Farrell is quick, able to make tough yards and offload if people are willing to run off him.

Aki

Aki

Stockdale

Stockdale

Carty

Sexton

Sexton may be a class apart when on form, but he's not and Carty has been very good at pretty much all aspects of OH play (Joe mentioned his defense - always a good sign !) but especially tactical kicking.

Marmion

Murray

Wasn't a big fan of Marmion, but I've come around in the last year or so. He always seems to speed up our recycle, defends well (esp. against New Zealand !) and Murray still seems a little off form

Kilcoyne

Healy

Would always choose Healy, but tomorrows game should suit Killer - I expect to see some quality Killer carrying

Scannell

Best

Best on the way down, Scannell on the way up, with better darts and no Alun Wyn Jones, should be able to make an impression.

Ryan

Furlong

Furlong like Sexton is a class apart, but his form has also not been quite what it was, and Ryan is bloody good !

Henderson

Toner

Toner better at lineouts, scrums, mauls (and maul defence). Against England/SA a definite starter, but against an AWJ-free experimental Wales, the game should be made for Henderson

Ryan

Ryan

Beirne

P'OM

Expect some turnovers, strong carrying and offloads. If we use Beirne right could be a huge plus, and we still have P'OM on the other flank.

P'OM

VdF

Like Ringrose, this game would have suited VdF, but we now have 4 lineout operators and I'd expect P'OM to have a license to tackle anything that moves (iirc he normally doesn't) and generate statistics to silence the critics !

Conan

Stander

Stander has either not been in good form or has been well marshalled. Didn't think Conan would make it as an international, but he seems to get better every time I see hime play and his athleticism should really suit tomorrow. He's the form No 8 regardless.

Comment

Wales are putting out a good back row, but the rest of the team look like second/third stringers.
So if Ireland do manage a win here, not sure how much that will tell Joe Schmidt.
I feel he will still revert to his tried and trusted (but jaded) regulars as first choice in big games.
That's the kind of conservative coach he is.

Erse end of nowhere

2 likes

Comment

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I still feel Rory Best is far ahead of the others as our best hooker. Far too much is said about his age and far too little on the alternatives inadequacies, they've all ultimately done nothing to displace him.
Also, I don't remember the same sort of pressure on Mealamu in the last world cup despite being a similar age in the same position.

Comment

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I still feel Rory Best is far ahead of the others as our best hooker. Far too much is said about his age and far too little on the alternatives inadequacies, they've all ultimately done nothing to displace him.
Also, I don't remember the same sort of pressure on Mealamu in the last world cup despite being a similar age in the same position.

He’s under pressure because he hasn’t been playing well for a while now and he had a lineout meltdown at the weekend. That’s probably partly due to age, but the cause is fairly irrelevant.

I’d argue Scannell is playing better, which should be enough to displace him.

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